In the heart of the Valais Alps, one of the most beautiful mountain races in the world takes place every summer. The mythical and demanding Zinal race sublimates the inspiring lines of the Imperial Crown of Zinal. Over 31 km and 2,200 m of ascent, participants race relentlessly through exceptional landscapes in a friendly atmosphere that matches the splendors that surround them. Portrait of Europe's premier mountain competition, the Zinal race, also known as the five 4000s.
The Zinal race: The origins of a legendary competition in the Valais Alps
The story of this mountain race began at a time when the discipline was still rare in the Swiss Alps. Convinced of the virtues of physical effort and fascinated by the beauty of the Anniviers landscape, mathematician and guide Jean-Claude Pont mapped out the route of a competition he wanted to be unique. The oldest mountain race in Europe, the Zinal was born on August 11, 1974. Despite the skepticism of the local authorities, the first edition was a popular success. Some 1,000 people took part, and 422 crossed the finish line.
A key figure in the race, Jean-Claude Pont remains its director until 2014. He then handed over to Tarcis Ançay, winner of the competition on several occasions. Then, in 2015, Vincent Theytaz took his turn at the helm of the famous event.
The Five 4000 Race: The Swiss Alps on the international sporting stage
Every summer since then, the "race des cinq 4000" has put the val d’Anniviers and its highest summits in the spotlight. In 1975, Jean-Claude Pont and Noël Tamini, founder of the running magazine Spiridon, created the Coupe Internationale de la Montagne (CIME). The Zinal race was included in the calendar from its very first edition. At the time, it was the only category A competition, along with the Sierre-Montana race, and took on an international dimension.
Its authority continues to grow. In 1979, the Five Thousand Race became one of the CIME's "Super" events, the most difficult to compete in due to their length and steep gradients. In 2004, the Zinal race hosted the first edition of the World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge. And in 2018, the event was added to the calendar of the Mountain Running World Cup and the newly inaugurated Golden Trail World Series.
The Zinal race: at the forefront of sporting competitions
Open to all mountain and sports enthusiasts, the Zinal race is one of a kind. Far from traditional stadiums and roads, it puts the spotlight on the high mountains, making it a pioneering event. It also enables women to run alongside men, at a time when running was a privilege they could not enjoy.
At last, the Zinal race brings together seasoned sportsmen and women and the valiant amateurs for whom the "Tourists" category was created. Our success is due not only to the fact that we were the first, but also to the very formula of including both internationally-renowned racers and what I call Sunday walkers," says Jean-Claude Pont. Taking part in the Five Thousand Race means going the extra mile, giving it your all, just as the surrounding mountains display their grandeur.
Everyone then enjoys the adventure according to their abilities. Some come to win the race, of course, while others set themselves the challenge of completing it. Each year, they swear they'll never do it again, but the following season, they're there, more than ever ready to take the plunge. Because the desire to ride the incredible trails of Zinals Imperial Crown is just too strong. Among the passionate competitors are Jean-Noël Theytaz and brothers Christian and Jacques Vouardoux, whose audacity is matched only by their tenacity. Since the first edition of the race in 1974, they have never missed a single start.
La course des cinq 4000: An unforgettable journey on the slopes of Zinal's Imperial Crown
The second Sunday in August marks the start of the Zinal race. The high mountains of the Swiss Valais prepare themselves for a memorable spectacle. The rocky trails tremble, a wind of bravery blows through the alpine meadows, and the mountains echo with excitement. Hundreds of participants are getting ready for the legendary race of the five 4000s. Linking the town of Sierre to the village of Zinal on the eastern side of the val d’Anniviers, they will face a total vertical drop of 2,200 meters on the ascent and 1,100 meters on the descent. 31 km of sporting challenge under the demanding gaze of the Weisshorn, Zinalrothorn,Obergabelhorn and Dent Blanche, the tutelary creatures of the Imperial Crown of Zinal, plus the Matterhorn, a rock giant of inimitable stature.
Only riders crossing the finish line before 4pm will have their time counted. The challenge is considerable, and starts are staggered according to individual performance. According to their level, amateurs classified in the "Tourists" category are divided into five groups, and experienced athletes into three separate groups.
This is it. The competition is underway. From the foot of the val d’Anniviers road, the racers climb up to the alpine pastures of Ponchet, at an altitude of 1906 metres. In just 8 km, they climb 1,300 metres. Then a gentler slope allows the runners to catch their breath until they reach Chandolin, at an altitude of almost 2000 meters. Fatigue overtakes them, but they persevere, with fervor in their bellies and the desire to fight it out. Their valiant strides take them past Tignousa to the famous Hotel Weisshorn. As a reward for their superhuman effort, nature reveals the unparalleled splendor of its most fabulous summits. The Weisshorn, the Zinalrothorn, theObergabelhorn, the Dent Blanche and the Matterhorn rise into the sky before the astonished and delighted eyes of the alpine pack. Invigorated by the magnificence of this panorama, they continue their ascent to the highest point of the race, at 2425 metres above sea level, on Nava territory.
Dominating the Imperial Crown, they have just accomplished a real feat. But there's no time for congratulations just yet. The race continues, the grip tightens and they must now descend towards Zinal. At the end of a rocky trail, they find their final refreshment point at the Mayens de Barneuza. This is the final stretch of their expedition, and the riders now embark on a rugged slope requiring a good deal of technique. Through forest and pasture, they have to go the distance at all costs. Despite sore knees and shortness of breath, they resist. Their bodies drenched in sweat and their souls resolute. They can't give up at this stage of the race. They want this victory over themselves more than anything.
So they run on and on until they finally see the finish line. Beyond reality, as in another world, they make progress. Their salvation is at hand. A few more steps and they will have overcome the Zinal ordeal. Under their feet, the white line finally appears. They've made it! Despite the obstacles, they have surpassed themselves. Each of them is then awarded a diploma showing their final time. Experienced athletes receive their rankings. And the prize-giving ceremony is the occasion for a popular celebration that the crowd will remember for a long time to come.
The Zinal race: Outstanding performances in the Valais Alps
The Zinal race is the scene of many a feat. In 1974, cross-country skier Edi Hauser became the first athlete to win the event, beating out then-favorite and multiple Olympic medalist Gaston Roelants. In 2001, Scotland's Angela Mudge also made history by becoming the first woman to cross the finish line in under 3 hours. In 2019, Kilian Jornet and Maude Mathys, both exceptional athletes, set new records in their respective categories. Their performance remains unsurpassed to this day.
Every year, the Five 4000 Race attracts more and more mountain and sports enthusiasts, shedding valuable light on the val d’Anniviers and the grandiose beauty of its landscapes. More popular than ever, the competition celebrated its 50th edition in August 2023, as a tribute to the Swiss Alps, their prodigious mountains and the renewed ardor of their greatest admirers.
For over 50 years, the Zinal race has shone the spotlight on the heights of the val d’Anniviers , just as it has raised the summits the Imperial Crown to stardom. Buoyed by the enthusiasm of an ever-growing crowd, it offers the most courageous the priceless chance to experience an extraordinary adventure together.
